Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Human Diseases

Medicinal plants are a major source of remedies for the treatment of human ailments in under-developed and developing countries. Traditional or alternative medicines were practiced in ancient civilizations for the cure of human ailments. In recent years, natural products play a vital role in drug discovery for life-threatening ailments like cancer, malaria, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Due to the advancement of scientific techniques, isolated phytochemicals can be developed as a medicine for lifestyle and chronic disorders. Herbal medicinal products are also developed for effective treatment of several diseases like cancer, malaria, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, etc. Recently,drug discovery from plants for the treatment of cancer has become more focused, leading to the discovery of novel anticancer drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, topotecan, irinotecan, vincristine, and vinblastine, etc. In this book chapter, we have discussed important medicinal plants and bioactive natural products for the treatment or management of diabetes mellitus, cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular complications.